Iowa Hawkeyes Head to Seattle for First Showdown With Washington Since 1963
For the first time in 63 years, the Iowa Hawkeyes will take the field in Seattle. The team faces the Washington Huskies on Friday, Oct. 9 at Husky Stadium in a Big Ten matchup that has Hawkeye fans buzzing about a West Coast road trip.
The game marks only the fifth meeting between these two programs, but their history runs deep. Iowa last played in Seattle in 1963, and the series includes two Rose Bowl clashes that Washington won (1982 and 1991) plus a 1995 Sun Bowl victory for the Hawkeyes. Most recently, Iowa dominated the Huskies 40-16 in Iowa City in 2024.
What kind of team will Iowa face in Seattle?
Washington enters the 2026 season with momentum under head coach Jedd Fisch, who is entering his third year at the helm. After taking over a depleted roster following Kalen DeBoer's departure to Alabama, Fisch has rebuilt the Huskies steadily. Washington improved from 6-7 in his first season to 9-4 last year, and the program now sits at No. 17 in the preseason AP Poll.
Fisch previously turned around Arizona, taking the Wildcats from a struggling program to a 10-3 record by his third season. That reputation for building programs is exactly why Washington hired him, and the results are starting to show.
Who are the key players to watch for Washington?
Quarterback Demond Williams Jr. is the centerpiece of the Huskies' offense. The Chandler, Arizona native threw for over 3,000 yards and 25 touchdowns as a sophomore while adding 611 rushing yards and six scores on the ground. He nearly transferred to LSU in the offseason, but Washington convinced him to stay, a move that energized the entire program.
Williams will have protection from three returning offensive linemen: left guard John Mills, center Landon Hatchett, and right tackle Drew Azzopardi. That stability up front should help Williams continue his rise among college football's elite quarterbacks.
Defensively, Washington ranked No. 12 nationally in scoring defense last season. Defensive coordinator Ryan Walters, despite a rough stint as a head coach, has proven himself as one of the best defensive minds in the country. He'll lean on linebacker Xe'ree Alexander (70 tackles) and leading tackler Alex McLaughlin (94 tackles) to keep that unit strong.
How did Washington reload its roster?
With several top offensive weapons departing via the transfer portal and graduation, Washington went shopping. The Huskies added Kennesaw State wide receiver Christian Moss, who posted 689 receiving yards and two touchdowns last season, plus running backs Trey Cooley and Jayden Limar.
The running back situation carries some risk. Cooley missed all of last season with an injury at Troy, and Limar saw limited action at rival Oregon. They'll be tasked with replacing the productive duo of Jonah Coleman and Adam Mohammed. Still, Fisch's offense averaged 34.1 points per game in 2025, which should help new players get up to speed quickly.
The most exciting addition might be five-star offensive tackle Kodi Greene. The 6-foot-6, 315-pound freshman was ranked the No. 27 player in the Class of 2026 by 247Sports and has impressed scouts with his natural ability.
What are the expectations for Washington this season?
Analysts project Washington as a solid but not spectacular team, with win totals hovering around eight. The uncertainty on offense, particularly at the skill positions, keeps expectations tempered. But Fisch has built a strong culture in Seattle, and the Huskies will not be an easy opponent for Iowa.
For Hawkeye fans making the trip, this is a historic opportunity to see their team play in one of college football's most iconic stadiums. The game will be a Friday night showcase, and Iowa will need to be at its best to come away with a win on the West Coast.
Will Iowa's defense contain Williams?
The biggest question for Iowa is whether its defense can slow down a quarterback like Williams, who can beat teams with both his arm and his legs. Washington's offense will present a significant challenge, especially in a hostile road environment. The Hawkeyes will need disciplined play from their defensive line and linebackers to keep Williams contained and force him into difficult throws.
Iowa's history against Washington is mixed, but the 2024 blowout win showed what this program can do when it executes on all phases. A similar performance in Seattle would go a long way toward making this trip memorable for all the right reasons.